Dr. Naseem Baloch, the chairman of the Baloch National Movement, made a plea at the United Nations’ 54th regular session of the Human Rights Council, calling for urgent attention to the severe human rights violations being perpetrated in Balochistan by Pakistani forces.
During the General Debate on promoting and protecting all human rights, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to development, Dr. Baloch emphasized the dire situation faced by the Baloch people. He outlined the brutal genocide, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture, intimidation, and home destructions that the Baloch population endures daily.
Citing the human rights department of BNM Paank, Dr. Baloch reported chilling statistics, stating that 64 forced disappearances and three killings were recorded in Balochistan in August alone. He then highlighted several specific cases that exemplify the horrific experiences of Baloch individuals.
One such case was the tragic suicide of Najma, a female teacher, on May 15th of this year, resulting from sexual harassment by the army. In another incident occurring in April 2021, a 13-year-old student named Murad Ameer was raped by the army in Hoshap, Balochistan. Additionally, Noor Jan, a resident of Awaran, was compelled to take his own life on May 20, 2021, after Pakistani forces pressured him to bring his daughter to their camp.
Dr. Baloch drew attention to a recent case involving Noor Khatoon, a female who was arrested, disappeared, and subjected to torture along with her two children for six days in Quetta, which occurred on August 28th of this year.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Baloch emphasized the pressing need for immediate attention and action regarding the persistent and grave human rights abuses in Balochistan.
Script of the speech delivered by Dr. Naseem, Chairman of BNM, at the United Nations Human Rights Council session :
I want the assembly’s attention to the dire situation in Balochistan due to Pakistani forces. The Baloch people face a brutal genocide, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture, intimidation, and home destructions.
Human rights group Paank reported 64 forced disappearances and three killings in Balochistan in August only. Pakistani forces have also committed sexual abuses similar to those in Bangladesh.
Najma, a female teacher, committed suicide on 15th May this year, due to sexual harassment by the army.
In April 2021, the army raped 13-year-old student Murad Ameer in Hoshap, Balochistan.
Noor Jan, a resident of Awaran, took his life on May 20, 2021, pressured by Pakistani forces to bring his daughter to their camp.
On 28th August, this year, a female, Noor Khatoon, was arrested, disappeared and tortured with her two children in Quetta, for six days.
These atrocities persist and require immediate attention and action.
Thank you.